"Some of the initiatives that we have, for example, separating elective and emergency surgery, but also investing in out-of-hospital care which will take the pressure off our acute care system."

Labor health minister Michelle O'Byrne has dismissed the report, saying the data predates major budget cuts to hospitals in 2011.

That's the reason that our elective surgery state-wide waiting list is now the lowest that it's been since 2006, that's the reason that our hospitals are either at or close to reaching budget," she said.

Dr Davis is also warning the state could face a shortage of medical staff if their conditions do not improve.

"Peer interaction, career pathways for young doctors, if we don't offer doctors those sorts of things then they just up and go," he said.

Ms O'Byrne says wages and conditions for doctors are being negotiated in the Industrial Commission.

Features

Former treasurer Wayne Swan says that real private sector wages have grown by just 1 per cent under the Abbott and Turnbull governments, which he says equates to only one year of growth under the previous Labor government.